Opinions vary as Colorado movie theater reopens

Workers with American Fence remove the fence from around the Century theater in Aurora, Colo., on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. The Colorado movie theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others reopens Thursday with a private ceremony for victims, first responders and officials. Theater owner Cinemark plans to temporarily reopen the entire 16-screen complex in Aurora to the public on Friday, then permanently on Jan. 25. Aurora's mayor, Steve Hogan, has said residents overwhelmingly support reclaiming what he calls "an important venue for Aurora." (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
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Workers with American Fence remove the fence from around the Century theater in Aurora, Colo., on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. The Colorado movie theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others reopens Thursday with a private ceremony for victims, first responders and officials. Theater owner Cinemark plans to temporarily reopen the entire 16-screen complex in Aurora to the public on Friday, then permanently on Jan. 25. Aurora's mayor, Steve Hogan, has said residents overwhelmingly support reclaiming what he calls "an important venue for Aurora." (AP Photo/Ed Andrieski)
/ AP

Phillips said Thursday she understood the practicality of reopening the theater but wishes Cinemark had asked families about plans for the theater and how they would like their relatives to be honored.

"They could have avoided a lot of ill feeling," she said of the company.

Building plans called for turning theater nine, where Holmes allegedly opened fire, into an "extreme digital cinema." It wasn't known if there would be a memorial.

Cinemark reportedly spent $1 million on renovations. Before it did, it allowed survivors and families to visit theater nine. Jacqueline Keaumey Lader, a U.S. Marine and Iraq war veteran, did so.

"It does help significantly," she said. "It's taken the power away from the place."

Cinemark planned to temporarily open the theater to the public Friday and offer free movies through the weekend. It will permanently reopen Jan. 25.